The Conference on Reading and Readability Research in the Armed Services brought together reading, technical writing, and readability experts from civilian research and development (R & D) centers with R & D specialists from the armed services for discussion of reading and text-design problems in the military. This report of the proceedings includes perspective papers prepared by research workers representing the air force, army, and navy; the comments and suggestions made by the civilian consultants; and recommendations for future R & D in the services. Major recommendations stressed the need for each service branch to develop a comprehensive plan leading toward a total career-development program; the need for functional, job-related literacy training; the need to consider oral skills as well as literacy skills; and the need for more basic research. (Author/AA)